MATHER, Calif. – St. Francis scored the first two goals of the game but ultimately fell to state-ranked No. 10 Granite Bay 17-7 on Tuesday at Mather Sports Complex.
"We had fight, grit and desire to win," said Head Coach Julia Southard. "It was everything we have been working on all year I saw in the first half."
No. 15 St. Francis scored the first two goals of the game when sophomore Maggie Price connected at 22:49 mark and then senior Jade Borg added a second goal 17:46.
"Even though we lost I think it was the best our team has played together," said Borg. "We held them at the beginning and we were working as a team. It is what got us through the first half."
Both teams entered the game undefeated playing for first place in the Sacramento Valley lacrosse league standings.
The Grizzlies got a goal from Phoebe Griffiths 10 minutes into the half and added four more to extend their lead to 5-1. Price scored before the half to cut the lead to 5-2.
"We were not coming in to not lose but to win the game," said Southard. "I made that a clear point and they all bought in. There is no point of showing up if you don't think you can win."
Granite Bay scored 12 times in the second half to pull away from the Troubadours. Borg added two goals in the second half to finish with three along with three assists and Price tallied her third. Sophomore Sophia Gorona added a single goal.
"We literally burned out," said Southard. "We ride our midfielders really hard and we are looking to fill that role for them so they can get that rest throughout the game. They did the best they could under the circumstances and worked really hard all game. I am proud of the way everybody played."
The loss ends the team's school record eight game winning streak to start the season.
"The first half gives us confidence," said Southard. "We know what we look like and what we can be and compete with. Granite Bay is the No. 1 team in our league by far right now. Knowing we can compete with them for a half we have to string together a full game and we can compete with anybody."
St. Francis returns to action on Friday for Holy Stix against Christian Brothers.
Granite Bay 17, St. Francis 7
GB – Kappos 7, Usher 3, Griffiths 3, Soigea 2, Perez 2, Diemer. SF – Price 3, Borg 3, Gorona.
